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| CATALYST | In chemistry, it is a substance (such as an enzyme) that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction at some temperature, but without itself being transformed or consumed by the reaction. In everyday usage it is any agent that provokes or triggers change. |
| CAUSTIC | In chemistry, it is a substance is one that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action. Hydrofluoric acid and silver nitrate are examples of _______ substances. In everyday usage, a ________ comment is one that hurts or burns. |
| CRYSTALLIZE | In chemistry, it is the process by which crystals are formed. In everyday usage, it means to give a definite form to an idea or plan. |
| OSMOSIS | In chemistry, it refers to the diffusion of a fluid through a semi-permeable membrane until there is an equal concentration of fluid on both sides of the membrane. In everyday usage, it refers to a gradual, often unconscious process of ASSIMILATION. |
| SEDENTARY | In ecology, animals that are _______ remain or live in one area. In everyday usage, it means settled and therefore accustomed to sitting or doing little exercise. |
| VIRULENT | In medical science, it refers to a disease or toxin that is extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. In everyday usage, it refers to language that is bitterly hostile, hateful, and antagonistic. |
| EMPIRICAL | In science, it means originating in or based on direct observation and experience. _________ data can then be used to support or reject a hypothesis. In everyday language, it means to be guided by practical experience, not theory. |
| ENTOMOLOGY | The scientific study of insects |
| GESTATE | In science, it means to carry within the uterus from conception to delivery. In everyday language, it means to conceive and develop in the mind. |
| CATHARTIC | Purgative, either physically or emotionally; cleansing |
| PARADIGM | In science, it is a framework or model of thought |
| ENTREPRENEUR | A person who organizes and manages a business or enterprise |
| LUCRATIVE | Very profitable |
| EXTRAVAGANT | Excessive and therefore lacking restraint |
| AVARICE, CUPIDITY | Excessive desire for material wealth; greed; COVETOUSNESS |
| GLUT, PLETHORA, SURFEIT | A surplus or excess of something |
| DESTITUTE, IMPOVERISHED, INDIGENT | Very poor, lacking basic resources |
| AFFLUENT, OPULENT | Very rich, having abundant resources |
| MUNIFICENT | Very generous |
| PARSIMONIOUS | Excessively cheap with money; stingy |
| DEPRECIATION | Any decrease or loss in value caused by age, wear, or market conditions |
| REMUNERATE | To compensate; to make payment for; to pay a person |
| ACCORD | A formal concurrence, agreement, or harmony of minds |
| ENLIGHTEN, EDIFY | To inform, instruct, illuminate, remove darkness and ignorance |
| APPEASEMENT | The policy of granting concessions to maintain peace |
| NULLIFY | To make null; to declare invalid |
| TRIUMVIRATE | A group or association ofthree leaders |
| PRETEXT | An excuse; an alleged cause |
| WATERSHED | Critical point that marks a change of course; a turning point |
| CONSENSUS | A general agreement |
| AUTOCRAT, DESPOT | A ruler or other person with unlimited power and authority |
| MANIFESTO | A public declaration of beliefs, policies, or intentions |
| ENFRANCHISE | To endow with the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote |
| DISENFRANCHISE | To deprive of some privilege or right, especially the right to vote |
| COERCE | To force to act or think in a certain way by use of pressure, threats, or torture; to compel |
| EGALITARIAN | Favoring social equality; believing in a society in which all people have equal political, economic, and civil rights |
| DEMARCATION | The setting or marking of boundaries or limits, as a line of demarcation |
| INQUISITION | A severe interrogation; a systematic questioning |
| AMELIORATE | To make a situation better |
| EXACERBATE | To make a situation worse |
| DESICCATED | Thoroughly dried out; lifeless, totally arid |
| CONTIGUOUS | Sharing an edge or boundary; touching |
| PERTINENT | Relevant; to the point; clearly illustrative of a major point |
| COMPLICITY | Association or participation in a wrongful act |
| EXONERATE, EXCULPATE | To free from guilt or blame |
| INDISPUTABLE | Not open to question; undeniable; irrefutable |
| PRECEDENT | An act or instance that is used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances |
| UNPRECEDENTED | Without previous example, never known before; an __________ event has never happened before |
| MALFEASANCE | Misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official; intentionally performing an act that is illegal |
| PROBITY | Integrity and uprightness; honesty; high moral standards |
